The Note #52

Wearing my Chanel lipstick, the Acne coat I LOVE and this lovely sweater from Jenni Kayne.

I love a red lip. It brightens the face, radiates confidence and detracts attention from one’s under eye bags makes any outfit look directional (what the hell does that mean?)(no one knows what it means, but it’s provocative!)(no, it sort of does, it means that you have a sense of a direction with your outfit. You have a PLAN).

[Sorry, I shouldn’t have had chestnut cake for breakfast, sugar is making me delirious. But good news is, I know the best place for a chestnut cake in Paris*!]

Back to red lip. Okay Garance, we know it’s great—you’ve been talking about this for years.

But have I told you about the fact that it doesn’t stay on because—well, I don’t know, maybe I eat it?—that after I leave home I never EVER think about reapplying it (I’m just not that person)(I wish I was) and that if I am not careful, I end up with a fading red lip, looking rather trashy?

This is why the other day, lost at Boots**, I found myself in front of the Chanel stand and got very excited when I found the fabulous Le Rouge Ultra Duo. One side is a lip stain that stays on for hours and feels dry, the other is a gloss to give it extra shine and hydration. A gloss which—and I am sorry to report—you need to reapply.

I obviously overlooked that, the same way I’ve overlooked any red flag I’ve ever encountered in my life, especially with men.

But who wouldn’t have? Not only was I feeling extra chic and superior buying Chanel, but I loved the color, a deep, rich, fabulous red. I also thought, this one will NEVER leave me and it will resist if I try to eat it.

Exactly like a perfect relationship should be.

So, bought it, put it on, and you would have thought that I had bought myself a whole new personality. I was the woman with the Chanel red lip. SO FRENCH.

Wow, did it deliver. A few hours later, I was back home in my pajamas, cooking a soupe à l’oignon (jk, I never cook) and my lips where still red. Then I watched a movie, and my lips were still red. Then I tried to remove my make up and it took so many passes that I gave up and went to bed, my lips still—ever so slightly—red.

I have to admit that, even for The Woman With The Red Lip, this was a bit much.

So now, before I put my red Chanel on, I think. And if I am not sure I want to spend the whole day with red lips, I switch to my beloved Tom Ford which probably lasts about half an hour because I’m a lipstick eater.

I’ve always had commitment issues anyway.

PS: I’ve listed a few great lipsticks and lip stains that have been tested by me or my friends with their impressions, in case, you too, want to be The Woman With The Red Lip and oh my god, sorry I wrote so much. And to think I had promised myself that the Note would be under 300 words!!! Who has the time for this? Except me!? ;)

“My favorite is Pip by Westman Atelier. Ive tried every red lipstick and this is the best one both in color and texture. The color pops and lights up your face and the texture is soft like velvet but does not come off easily so it stays beautiful all day.”

Stephanie Danan, Founder of CO

“I love the color and the packaging of Farrah Homidi’s Essential Lip Compact, It lasts but not so lasting that you can’t get it off.”

Emily Note, Co-Founder of Doré

“I love Powermatte lip Pigment by Nars. It’s Matte but stays bright until you take it off. Does it dry your lips out? Probably, but I don’t mind.”

Heidi Merrick, founder of Heidi Merrick

* Except I’ve promised to the community that I’d only share my favorites addresses behind the paywall in order to fight the VERY FRUSTRATING social media queues. Okay I might be over estimating my social influence.

** I used to receive everything at my doorstep as an influencer having no clue what things cost, and now I have TO BUY things (which I actually like—let me know if you’re interested in hearing why!)

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My last Letter is a new format that will replace one of my Letters every month—if you like it. I made it to be it to be more conversational, like a catch up between friends.

In my last Note, I share a very warm coat and some wardrobe inspiration for the cold months.

Here you can read all The Notes.

In our last live, we talked about life, and my next chapter.

Doré is my clean beauty, French pharmacy skincare line. It’s great!

If you don’t know how to join our lives, learn more here and let me know if you have any questions!

If you want to submit a question for me, you can write it here and I will reply in a future Q&A.

Big kiss!